Matrix/vector assignment without resizing

[Mikhail Katliar]

When DynamicVectors are assigned to each other, the one on the left is automatically resized. For example, the following code works:

using namespace blaze;
DynamicVector<double> a({1., 2., 3.});
DynamicVector<double> b({1., 2., 3., 4.});
a = b;

However, it is sometimes necessary to make sure that the vector/matrix sizes on both sides of the assignment are the same. For this purpose, one could write

subvector(a, 0, size(a)) = b;
submatrix(m, 0, 0, rows(m), columns(m)) = m1;

To make the code above shorter and cleaner, it would be convenient to have a function returning a Submatrix/Subvector corresponding to the entire vector, so that the code would look like

full(a) = b;
full(m) = m1;

[Klaus Iglberger]

Hi Mikhail!

This is an interesting issue that we have not considered before. Thanks for the proposal, we'll definitely consider the idea.

Best regards,

Klaus!

[Mikhail Katliar]

Maybe noresize() is a better name.

[Klaus Iglberger]

Hi Mikhail!

Agreed, noresize() is a better name than full(). We have not forgotten this issue and still have it on our agenda.

Best regards,

Klaus!

[Klaus Iglberger]

Summary

The feature has been implemented, tested, optimized, and documented as required. It is immediately available via cloning the Blaze repository and will be officially released in Blaze 3.9.

The fix() function

By default, resizable vectors such as DynamicVector, HybridVector, and CompressedVector and resizable matrices such as DynamicMatrix, HybridMatrix, and CompressedMatrix can adapt their size during an assignment:

blaze::DynamicVector<int> a{ 1, 2 };        // Setup of a vector with 2 elements
blaze::DynamicVector<int> b{ 1, 2, 3, 4 };  // Setup of a vector with 4 elements

a = b;  // Resizes vector 'a' to 4 elements

blaze::DynamicMatrix<int> A{ { 1, 2 } };                   // Setup of a 1x2 matrix
blaze::DynamicVector<int> B{ { 1, 2, 3 }, { 4, 5, 6, } };  // Setup of a 2x3 matrix

A = B;  // Resizes matrix 'A' to a 2x3 matrix

Via the fix() operation it is possible to fix the size of a resizable vector or matrix. If a vector or matrix with a different size is assigned, instead of resizing the vector or matrix the operation fails by throwing a std::invalid_argument exception:

blaze::DynamicVector<int> a{ 1, 2 };        // Setup of a vector with 2 elements
blaze::DynamicVector<int> b{ 1, 2, 3, 4 };  // Setup of a vector with 4 elements

fix( a ) = b;  // Throws an exception: Vector cannot be resized!

blaze::DynamicMatrix<int> A{ { 1, 2 } };                   // Setup of a 1x2 matrix
blaze::DynamicVector<int> B{ { 1, 2, 3 }, { 4, 5, 6, } };  // Setup of a 2x3 matrix

fix( A ) = B;  // Throws an exception: Matrix cannot be resized!